Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible

The Wiz - presented by De La Salle Collegiate

This engaging study program featuring Jeff Cavins begins February 28th at 7:00 p.m. and meets each Wednesday, February 28 thru April 18. Sessions last approximately 1-1/2 hours, and there is no need to worry if you miss a session as on-line access to this study is available with your paid book fee. Sponsored by the Education Commission, seating is limited to 20, so please register before February 14 by calling 586-264-7970 or at formation@smdeporres.com

As the social justice arm of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM) works to bring the love and mercy of Jesus Christ to those in need. Won’ t you help CCSEM care for the least ones who are the images of Jesus Christ among us?

CCSEM annually brings help and hope to more than 20,000 persons, regardless of their race or religion, culture or creed. CCSEM serves families from all walks of life through 13 locations in the six counties of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Ministries include the All Saints Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry in southwest Detroit, Hispanic Outreach, Services for newcomers to the United States, Behavioral Health Services, the Project Hope ministry for expectant mothers and mothers with young children, Adoption and Foster Care Services, and Services for Senior Citizens.

You can donate in one of three ways: use the envelopes provided by your parish, go online to ccsem.org/donate, or mail a check to CCSEM at 15945 Canal Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038.

For those in need looking for assistance with transportation, errands, light housekeeping, visits, phone calls, etc. contact the IVC (Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers) for information on what might be available for you. Check out their website: interfaith volunteer caregivers Macomb or call (586) 757-5551

Warming Center Is Here!

All Widowed Men and Women are invited to join us for Mass on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2:30 p.m.at St. Malachy, 14115 14 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights. After Mass, we will enjoy refreshments and conversation in the social hall. For more information or to volunteer, call Sandy at 586-991-7374.

All events sponsored by Widowed Friends, a “ peer” support group. For further information about Widowed Friends, visit our website at www.widowedfriends.org

The Parish Ushers will hold their bi-monthly meeting in the Parish Center on Thursday, March 1st, at 7:00 p.m. Would you like to be of service to our Parish Community? Please consider becoming a Parish Usher. Everyone is welcome! For more Information, please come to our March 1st meeting or see the Parish Bulletin for contact information.

News from F.A.M.

Right To Life

February is Catholic Press Month

St. Martin de Porres Parish Ministries and Groups

EXPLORATION OF:• How the brain influences mood and behavior• Signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression• What friends and family members can do to help• When to seek professional services• An overview of what treatment may look like

Is Online Giving Safe?Online Giving meets the highest banking-level security standards set forth by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) to ensure safe and confidential transactions. In fact, your banking information is encrypted in the system and is not accessible to any users or administrators of the Online Giving system. When you manage your own account information, your church never needs to handle checks or worry about locking up documents containing your account information. And you’ll always be certain that your gifts are direct-deposited into your church’s account.

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus anddedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of the month in the Parish Center, Room 1

This past week, we marked the beginning of the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday. It’s a time that makes us think about how we are going to prepare for Easter. Perhaps this year,you may consider the idea of becoming a Stephen Minister in addition to prayer, almsgiving, and penance. Deciding to serve as a Stephen Minister doesn’t just happen. It requires reflection and prayer to determine if you have the time, energy, and aptitude to care for someone who is experiencing a crisis or difficult time.

If you think that you would like to consider becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Florence Murphy at (586) 264-7515 for additional information about the training course andcommitment. Training for the next class of Stephen Ministers will begin in September.

​Susan Madro

Active Christian Women's Club

​​​​​Upcoming:

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​Feb 27 - Birthday Breakfast at Ram’s Horn following 9:30 AM liturgy. Happy Birthday to club members and all who celebrate birthdays in February.

For Widowed Men and Women

​Although it seems like it is a long way off, it is already time to think about preparations for our summer mission trip. This year our trip will take place July 22-28, 2018. (Sunday thru Saturday) Again this year, we will be partnering with St. Michael parish in Sterling Heights and working with the Fr. Beiting Appalachian Mission, serving the poor in the Kentucky mountains. All missionaries must be at least 18 years old.

The mission requires that all of our paperwork and fees be completed and submitted before April 1. With this in mind, I am asking that anyone interested in going on the trip contact me by March 1. This will give us time to distribute and compile the requirements. As I said in earlier articles, volunteers must be in good health and able to perform some physical labor. The archdiocese “Protecting God’s Children” class and a background check must also be completed before the trip.

The number of volunteers we can take on the trip is limited this year. If you are considering the trip, please give this prayerful consideration. Please email or call me with any questions

​The purpose of our Lenten project is to make sleeping mats for the less fortunate out of plastic grocery bags. These crocheted mats are comfortable and offer just enough protection between the ground and the body to help retain body heat while sleeping. It's no problem if the mats get wet as they can easily be dried. Not only are they free to make, each mat will keep 500 - 700 plastic bags out of landfills.

​“Retrouvaille is a program designed for couples who have become distant in their marriage relationship or who may be dealing with a serious crisis. The program begins with a weekend experience, followed by a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over two to three months. The main emphasis of the program is on communication between husband and wife. There are neither group dynamics nor ​group discussions during the weekend.”

As you begin to think about what changes you might make to your daily routine, you are invited to consider joining us for our Monday Lenten Prayer. This is a beautiful traditional prayer of the church praying the psalms. It begins at 7:00 p.m. and lasts about 20 minutes. It is a good way to slow down at the end of the day to thank and praise God. More information about this will be coming as we get closer to the beginning of Lent.

On Fridays during Lent, at 3:00 p.m., the Stations of the Cross will be observed (2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23)

Lenten Project: Sleeping mats for the less fortunate

Anxiety and depression: What to know, how to help

Ushers Meeting

Give a 5 - 7 minute speech on one of the following topics: abortion, infanticide, stem cells, cloning,euthanasia. Participants gain confidence speaking about life issues. First, second, and third place win a prize ($125, $75, $50). Winner advances to the state finals.

Sponsored by Right to Life Warren/Center Line. For more information, see the Parish Bulletin for contact information

The MICHIGAN CATHOLIC is our own Archdiocese’s Catholic Press. Filled with wonderful articles, current information on Church teachings, events around the Archdiocese and much more, it is an enjoyable and educational means of being informed. If you are not already a subscriber, please consider becoming one. A subscription form is available on the table under the statue of St. Martin

Right to Life Annual Prolife High School Oratory Contest

Other Local Events

Monday Lenten Prayer Service - Friday Stations of the Cross

Have you thought about going on a Mission Trip?

There are certain things in life that God has called us to be. Being silent is not one of them, especially regarding abortion and euthanasia. Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

Pray for an end to abortion.

Regina FalkowskiParish rep for Right to Life

St. Martin de Porres Church News

Catholic Charities and Local Ministries

We welcome the homeless to St. Martin de Porres the week of February 18, 2018.

After much preparation, our week to host the Macomb County Warming Center begins this weekend! Sunday night we will welcome our homeless brothers and sisters into our Parish Center to enjoy a hot meal and stay warm during the night. I am so appreciative for all of the support you have given this program. Following are a few reminders as we begin this week of service:

Volunteer schedules are posted in the vestibule of the church and in the Parish Center. If you are unable to serve when you are scheduled, please call the Parish office and leave a message for me. (As I will be here every night, I will be home getting some sleep during the day)

If you volunteered to serve and were not assigned due to a parish group serving a meal, or an over abundance of volunteers, you may still come and visit with guests or fill in as needed.

If you have taken a tag off of the Warming Tree, please bring in the item you have purchased when indicated on the tag. Non-perishable items may be brought in ahead of time, but perishable items (such as bread, bananas or milk) should be brought in on time. Items may be brought in early between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or during regular business hours from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please let a parish staff member know if the item needs to be refrigerated.​

If you are volunteering, please remember to follow the instructions of the Warming Center Security personnel or the parish volunteer in charge of specific areas. A lot of ​thought and preparations have gone into this week, so there is sound rational for our decisions. Thank you for trusting us.

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I look forward to a wonderful and inspiring week working with all of you to serve God’s people. If you are unable to physically serve in the building, I ask for your prayers. They are an integral part of our success. I am excited for this opportunity for our whole parish to live out our Christian values in such a united way for such a meaningful purpose. Thank you for all of your support!

• The four-hour session for all couples starts at 10:00 a.m., with a 30-minute lunch break at noon and concludes at 2:30 p.m.

• An additional two-hour session for couples with children continues from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.• All sessions are at the Catholic Charities office in Royal Oak, located at 1424 E. 11 Mile Road.• The cost for the four-hour sessions is $160, or a total of $200 for the extended session for couples with children.

To learn more and register, call 248-548-4044 ext. 3100 or email crewsh@ccsem.org.